2006 Corino Barolo Vecchie Vigne

The 2006 Barolo Vecchie Vigne, from old vines in Giachini, remains the estate's most modern wine. The 2006 saw 90% new oak, which adds considerable volume and depth to the dark red fruit, leather and licorice aromas and flavors that flow from the glass. The wine's textural richness is enviable, but at the end of the day these are important vineyards that frankly don't need the sheen of new oak to show the character. The Vecchie Vigne remains a wine of unrealized potential.

The 2006 Barolo Vecchie Vigne, from old vines in Giachini, remains the estate’s most modern wine. The 2006 saw 90% new oak, which adds considerable volume and depth to the dark red fruit, leather and licorice aromas and flavors that flow from the glass. The wine’s textural richness is enviable, but at the end of the day these are important vineyards that frankly don’t need the sheen of new oak to show their true voice. The Vecchie Vigne remains a wine of unrealized potential. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. Proprietor Giuliano Corino has a stunning set of 2007 Baroli on his hands. The wines capture the ripe, open style of the vintage while preserving considerable freshness, aromatic complexity and structure. These are wonderfully complete Baroli that merit serious consideration. I expect most of the wines will drink well with a minium of cellaring, and continue to develop complexity with further time in bottle. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; tel. (415) 492-9411; Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; tel. (630) 422-1119

(aged in 80% new barriques Good deep red-ruby. Less fruit and more oak on the nose than the Giachini is showing. Sweet and chewy in the mouth, with a balsamic quality and strong oakiness. Today the mid-palate fruit seems overwhelmed by the wood element, and the oak tannins give the finish a slight toughness. This wine also comes from Giachini fruit but I prefer the basic version for its more harmonious oak. But this is young.